CropEnergies secures jobs and income

Mannheim, 21 May 2013 - The bioethanol production of CropEnergies Bioethanol GmbH in Zeitz is an important multiplier of the economic value added in the region - and indirectly secures thousands of jobs. This is proven by a study of the independent economic research institute WifOR, Darmstadt.

The study shows the economic importance of the bioethanol plant in Zeitz for Germany as a business location, especially in rural areas. Aside from direct effects, indirect and induced economic effects were also taken into consideration. These effects are felt in industry sectors which are upstream and downstream of the production along the value added chain. Thus, additional jobs are created at raw material suppliers, regional suppliers and service firms, for example.

More jobs and income

CropEnergies is a leading producer of sustainably produced bioethanol. The plant in Zeitz alone - with an annual capacity of 360,000 cubic meters of bioethanol one of the largest plants in the European bioethanol market - has 115 direct employees. Added to that, as the study has shown, are approximately 2,300 jobs in upstream and downstream industries. This high number is the result of the fact that much of the input comes out of the agricultural sector. Employment effects are particularly significant there. Especially for the long term security of income, the bioethanol production of the CropEnergies Bioethanol GmbH is of great importance.

However, not only the employment figures show a particularly positive development, but the salaries per employee are above average at CropEnergies as well, compared to the manufacturing industry. The labour productivity is well above average with a value added of approximately EUR 447,000 per employee. It exceeds the average figures of the production industry "Manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products" by over 200 percent.

Value added on par with oil and coal

The gross value added shows clearly the role the bioethanol production plays for the region. The examined plant in Zeitz realized EUR 51 million of gross value directly as well as an additional EUR 96 million through indirect and induced effects on other production industries. The sum of value added effects is EUR 147 million. This adds up to a so-called value added multiplier of 2.9. The bioethanol production is therefore economically on par with oil and coal (value added multiplier: 2.8).

Profitable investments

To remain competitive, CropEnergies Bioethanol GmbH's investments in the bioethanol production are above average. This not only pays off for the company and the environment. The production also provides tax revenues at a federal, state and municipal level. In the last four financial years, the company in Zeitz has paid approximately EUR 92 million directly. Indirect and induced payments are added to that. Thus, every euro in taxes and social security paid by CropEnergies generates an additional income of EUR 1.30 for the public purse.

Sustainable and efficient

In Zeitz, wheat, maize and barley, among others, are used for the production of bioethanol. The plant is situated in the middle of one of the largest wheat growing regions in Germany. This means short transport distances for the raw material supply. Valuable components of the raw materials such as proteins, fats or fibres, which cannot be converted into bioethanol, are used for the production of high-quality animal feed. It is thanks to the extremely efficient and sustainable way of production that bioethanol made in Zeitz exceeds the sustainability criteria of the EU which demand greenhouse gas savings of at least 35 percent compared to fossil fuels.

Ensuring mobility in a climate friendly way - today and in the future - is CropEnergies' business. Founded in Mannheim, Germany, in 2006, the young and dynamically growing member of the Südzucker Group is one of the leading European manufacturers of sustainably produced bioethanol for the fuel sector today. With its three modern production facilities in Germany, Belgium, and France as well as trading offices in the USA and Brazil, CropEnergies produces approximately 700,000 cubic meters of bioethanol per year. They mainly replace petrol and reduce CO2 emissions by up to 70 percent. With this, CropEnergies has established itself successfully as a bioethanol pioneer in a major emerging market.

At the same time, CropEnergies is a major producer of food and animal feed products. The raw materials which are used such as cereals and sugar beets are completely utilized. As a result, 500,000 tonnes of high-quality protein food and animal feed products are manufactured every year out of the non-fermentable components of the raw materials.

Through advanced technology and innovation CropEnergies contributes to ensure a sustainable mobility from renewable sources today and in the future through its main product bioethanol: mobility - sustainable. renewable.

The CropEnergies AG stock (ISIN DE000AOLAUP1) has been listed at the regulated market (Prime Standard) at the Frankfurt Stock Exchange since 2006.